Masaru Katoh
Papers
1
Total Citations
520
H-Index
1
About
Masaru Katoh is a leading authority in cancer signaling, with a primary focus on the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway and its role in tumorigenesis. His seminal 2009 review, "Hedgehog Target Genes: Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Induced by Aberrant Hedgehog Signaling Activation," has garnered over 520 citations, establishing a foundational framework for understanding how aberrant Hh signaling drives malignancies across a wide spectrum of cancers—including glioma, medulloblastoma, basal cell carcinoma, and tumors of the lung, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and breast. Katoh’s major contributions include elucidating the mechanisms by which Hedgehog signals activate GLI family transcription factors via Smoothened, and demonstrating how RTK signaling potentiates GLI activity, thereby linking developmental pathways to oncogenesis. His work has been instrumental in identifying therapeutic targets for Hh-driven cancers, influencing the development of Smoothened inhibitors and combination strategies. Beyond this hallmark paper, Katoh’s research spans WNT, FGF, and other signaling networks, making him a pivotal figure in molecular oncology. His insights continue to guide both basic researchers and clinicians in unraveling the complexities of cancer signaling and advancing targeted therapies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1